Cap for lamp sockets and the like



Oct z. 26 1926.

A. H. FLEET CAP FOR LAMP SOCKETS' AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 13, 1920 F uy. 1

INVENTOR ,JvmuuuHFme/t ATTORNEY Cab Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

-UNITED STATES rarer Fries.

ARTHUR H. FLEET, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, Ass'IGNon'ro THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. 00., 0F MILWAUKEE, w scONsIN, A CORPORATION OF wIscoNsIN.

car on LAM]? sooK 'rs AND THE LIK Application filed September 13, 1920. Serial No. 410,001.

This invention relates to caps for lamp sockets and the like.

An Object of the invention is that of providing an improved and concealed securing means for such caps and the like adapted to operate automatically and with increas ing effectiveness as the parts are screwed into attachment with a standard fitting in the usual manner.

A further object is that of providing simple and efficient securing and locking means for the foregoing purposes comprising a minimum number of detached parts, such parts being moreover capable of ready and economical manufacture and being adapted to repeated use.

Other objects and advantages willhereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates certain of the forms which the invention may assume in practice and the same will now be described, it being understood that the invention is capable of embodiment in other forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a proposed construction and arrangement, the parts thereof being separated;

Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views illustrating slightly modified structures; while Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the lamp socket cap illustrating more fully certain r details of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the same illustrates a cap 9 for lamp sockets and, the like. said cap having a rigidly secured and internally threaded tubular bushing 10 adapted to fit a relatively fixed and exteriorly threaded standard nipple indicated at 11, such standard nipple being provided exteriorly with a circumferential shoulder 12 located beyond the threaded portion thereof. The bushing 10 which is of material thickness, is provided at its end remote from the cap proper with an annular recess 13, said recess having preferably a circumferential wall substantially coaxial with the bushing and with a transverse wall substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bushing, said latter mentioned wall constituting an internal shoulder substantially parallel to the shoulder 12 of the nipple.

A look washer 14 of usual construction is located within the recess 13 and adaptedto securely yet releasably lock the. aforemena tioned parts in assembled relation and under such conditions to be substantially enclosed and concealed therebetween and within the bushing, I

For convenience in handling, thelock washer is preferably permanently retained within the recess 13 and as illustrated in Fig. 1, such retention is attained by making the diameter of such recess slightly less than the outer diameter of said lock washer when fully expanded radially. Said washor is thus adapted to be sprung within said recess and to be thereafter firmly yet removably retained therewithin with its parts in suitable operative position.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the recess 13 is formed slightly larger than the normal diameter of the lock washer to permit radial expansion of the latter as the same is compressed between the adjacent shoulders of bushing 10 and nipple 11. Retention of the washer within the recess is effected in the construction of Fig. 2 by striking in the edge portion of the bushing at circumferentially spaced points 15 in advance of the washer thus providing against accidental removal or displacement of the washer. In the construction of Fig. 3, a narrow flange or burr 16 of the bushing material is spun inward about the lock washer for retention of the latter, said flange or burr being moreover interrupted as indicated at 17 to permit forward and outward projection of the end of said washer which directly coacts and interlocks with the niple 11. p The foregoing construction and arrange ment thus provides a very serviceable and effective concealed locking device for the foregoing elements, said device being more over adapted to perform its intended functions when the cap is simply screwed home upon the nipple in the usual manner. Further. the aforedescribed locking means is especially advantageous in those cases where a socket cover or husk isemployed. in which case obviously the inner marginal portion of the husk is interposed between the lock washer 14C and the shoulder 12, since the entire operation of assembling and locking the cap in place may be performed from a position substantially in axial alignment with said elements. The device is thus markedly requiring actuation vfrom a radial direction and being therefore inherently incapable of use in comunction with certain types of husk.

The device possesses thefurther advan-v tage of having no small detached parts which are capable of becoming separated from the principal elements, the lock washer being as aforedescribed permanently re tained within its recess and thusprotected against displacement or loss.

WVhatI claim as new and by Letters Patent is:

l. A lamp socket cap having a: threaded bushing rigidly secured thereto, an annular recess in said bushing adapted to receive a split washer, the terminal portions of said washer bein'g'oppositely disposed out of the plane thereof, and a shouldered. support upon which said bushing" is adapted to be threaded, said washer permitting, relative rotary movement of said support. and bushdesire to secure ing in one direction while looking the same against such movement in the opposite direction.

2. The combination with a lamp socket cap having a threaded bushing and afitting to receive saidbusliing, said bushing and said fitting, being provided with opposed shoulders, of an oppositely toothed lock washer to be clamped between the shoulders of said bushing and fitting for se curely and releasably locking the same in assembled relation, said washer and said bushing'having cooperating parts'to resist separation thereof.

8. A lamp socket caphaving. one end of a threadedbushing rigidly secured thereto, the-opposite end of said bushing being provided with an annular recess, and a split washer having a terminal tooth engaging a wall of said recess and an opposite terminal tooth extending outwardly from said recess. In witness whereof, I havehereunto sub scribed my name.

ARTHUR H. FLEET. 

